Tent construction



c. c. CHlTTiM 1,729,987

.TENT CONSTRUCTION Filed April 1, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet I k [mm M4104: i 4 161 izz'ZZz'm I OEt. 1, 1929. c. CHITTIM 1,729,987

TENT CONSTRUCTION Filed April 1, 1927 I s Sheets-Sheet 3 if zm/m A 5 My Patented Oct. 1, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT DFYFICE can: 0. CHITTIM, or SPRINGFIELD, mssoea:

TENT CONSTRUCTION Application filed A ril 1, 1927. Serial 1%, 180,312.

5 tion will be rigid throughout and when collapsed will occupy a minimum amount of space. 8

An object of the invention is the construction of a foldable bed and tent of relatively few parts designed and associated to assure rigidity and the complete elimination of ropes. I

Another object of the invention is the novel manner of supporting the frame so that my improved form of bed may be used for the additional purpose of a support for the frame.

A feature of my invention is the novel manner of forming the bed of three sections hinged together, with the end sections swinging vertically to move into parallel relation with the main section and supporting the tent frame solely upon the end sections, thereby preventing the end sections from becoming displaced when the tent is set up.

With these and other objects in view,'my invention will be understood better from the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of the structi'ire, set up for use;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the frame;

Figure 3 is an end elevation;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary rear elevation;

Figure 5 is a detail View of a portion of the end rail;

1 Figure 6 is a View illustrating how the parts are folded in collapsing the frame;

Figure 7 is a detail perspective view of a portion of the ridgerail;

Figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating the hinge construction for the uprights.

Again referring to the drawingsillustrating one of the many constructions of my invention, the numeral 1 designates my improved construction of foldable bed, more fully described in m co pending application filed April 1, 1927, Serial No. 180,311. This bed 1 in its construction includes the main section 2 and end sections 3 hinged to the main section, as illustrated at 4, so to be swung vertically into horizontal alinement with the main section. The legs '5 are hinged to the main section to swing into parallel relation with the main section.

My improved tent frame is supported directly upon and solely by the end sections of the bed frame which not only arranges" all the parts in unobstructing positions but the weight of the tent frame holds the said end sections in proper alignment and the cover, carried by the sections, taut. This tent frame comprises uprights 6 that rest directly upon the end sections 3 and are hingedly connected thereto by the hinge plates 7 and thus it will be appreciated that the uprights may be readily swung to a vertical position or arranged in parallel relation with the end rods 8 of the endcsections 3. The back rail 9 is formed from a pair of bars 10 and 11 connected tofeature of my invention is the arrangement of the notches adjacent the hinge 19 so that when the bars are arranged in alinement the walls of the notches will embrace and eii'ectively clamp a pin 21 carried by the respective upright. The bars 18 are provided with notches 22 receiving the pins 23 fixed at the ends of the ridge rail 24-. This ridge rail 24 v is also formed from a pair of bars 25 and 26 connected together by the hinge 27 so as to be folded into parallel relation.

Braces 28 are pivoted to the ridge rail, as 7 indicated at 29', and are further provided with notches 3O engaging pins 31 carried by the bars 18 of the end rails, and thus it will be appreciatedthat the heretofore mentioned parts are effectively connected together in such a substantial manner that accidental disengagementof a connection is positively eliminated. The back rail 9 is supported upon the bed at one end thereof by the braces 32.

A strut 33 is pivoted at one end to each end rail near its point of connection with the back rail, as indicated at 34k, and this strut is pivoted to the hinge plates 7. To the strut 33 I pivotally connect one end of a brace 35 also having detachable connection with the end rod 8, as indicated at 36. The use of the brace 35 and strut 33 restrains or equalizes and a more rigid construction is' provided.

In setting up the structure, the legs 5 are i moved to their extended position so as to support the bed structure the required distance above the ground and the end sections are then swung to horizontal or supporting position so as to have secured thereto the tent frame. Upon swinging of the uprights 6 to vertical position and the connection of the braces 35 with the end rods 8, the notched end portions of the sections 17 of the end rails are in position to receive the pins 14 of the back rail 9 and be further supported by the braces 32. Upon swinging of the sections 18 into aligning position with the sections 17, the pins 21 will be clamped in the notches for rigidly securing and connecting the upright 6, strut 33, brace 85, rail 9 and braces 32 as a unit. To complete the structure, it is only necessary to connect the braces 37 and arrange the ridgerail in position with its pins 23 engaging in the notches 22.

Particular attention is called to the fact that the manner of connecting and arrangement of the connections are such that the weight of the parts and the weight of'the tent cover increases the effective engagement, which materially adds to the rigidity of the structure as a whole. The entire tent structure is substantially supported entirely by the bed and in a manner that the parts are arranged in unobstructedposition, materially increasing the clear space within the tent.

It is, of course, to be understood that the various parts may be designed and constructed in various other manners than illustrated and associated in other relations and, therefore, I do not desire to be limited in any manner except as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim 1. In a structure of the character described, an upright, a pin carried thereby, and a pair of bars hinged together to extend in alignment with each other and provided with notches receiving said pin when the bars are in alignment and disengaging the pin when the bars are out of alignment.

2. In a foldable bed and tent structure, a bed unit comprising a main section, legs supporting the same, end sections foldably connected with the ends of the main sect-ion, and a tent unit comprising a cover frame including uprights foldably supported upon the end sections of the bed unit at one side of said unit, side cover-supporting members supported at their intermediate portions by the upper ends of the uprights, the said side cover-supporting members each comprising a pair of hingedly connected sections having notches in their opposing ends, studs upon the uprights embraced by the notches of the sections of the respective members when the sections are in alinement with each other, and meansconnecting the inner ends of the last mentioned members to the said end sections of the bed unit at the other side thereof.

3. In a foldable bed and tent structure, a foldable bed unit including a main section and end sections and means supporting the main section, the end sections being foldable to ex tend in alinement with the main section and to position overlying the same, an upright hingedly mounted upon each end section at one side thereof, to assume an upright supporting position and a folded position lying upon the respective end section, side frame members removably supported at their intermediate portions by the upper ends of the uprights, a ridge bar separably connected at its ends with the sidebars at their outer ends, brace members connected with the saidstructure at the other side thereof and opposite said uprights, and a bar separably connected with and extending between the inner ends of the side bars, the upper ends of the brace members being connected to the last mentioned bar to support the same, the said last mentioned bar and ridge bar being formed in foldably connected sections.

4. In afoldable bed and tent structure, a foldable bed unit including a main section and end sections and means supporting the main section, the end sections being foldable to extend in alinement with the main section and to position overlying the same, an upright hingedly mounted upon each end section at one side thereof, to assume an upright supporting position and a folded position lying upon the respective end section, side frame members removably supported at their intermediate portions by the upper ends of the uprights, a ridge bar separably connected at its ends with the side bars at their outer ends, a brace extending between the lower portion of each upright and the respective side bar, and bracing members extending between the braces and the said structure, brace members connected with the said structure at the other side thereof and opposite said uprights,'a bar separably connected-with and extending between the inner ends of the side bars, the upper ends of the last mentioned brace members being connected to the last mentioned bar,

- the said last mentioned bar and ridge bar being formed in sections, and means foldably connecting the sections of each bar.

5. In afoldable bedandtent structure, a bed unit comprising a main section, means for Cal supporting the same, and end sections foldably connected with the ends of the main section, and a foldable tent unit comprising uprights foldably supported one upon each of the end sections of the bed unit, means connected with each upright and separably con nected with the respective end section of the bed unit for bracing the upri ht in upright position, side cover-supporting bars removably supported at their intermediate portions by the upper ends of the uprights, the said bars comprising foldably connected sections, a ridge bar removably connected at its ends to the outer ends of the cover-supporting bars and extending therebetween, means relatively bracing the cover-supporting bars and the ridge bar and separably connected with one of said bars, a back bar extending between and removably connected at its ends to the inner ends of the cover-supporting bars, and braces extending diagonally between the back bar and the end sections of the bed unit and separably connected with said end sections.

6. In a toldable bed and tent structure, a bed unit comprising a main section, legs supporting the same, end sections foldably connectedwith the ends of the main section and including end cross pieces, and a tent unit comprising a cover frame including uprights, arms connected to the lower end of each upright and straddling and pivotally connected to the cross piece of the respective end section, side cover-supporting members supported at their intermediate portions by the upper ends of the uprights, brace bars extending between one arm of each pair and the inner end of the respective side cover-supporting member, a brace member pivotally connected with each of said bars and separably connected with the cross piece of the respective end section, the lower ends of the uprights being adapted to rest in engagement with the upper sides of the cross pieces of the respective end sections in the extended positions of the uprights, means connecting the inner ends oi the side cover-supporting members, and means connected with the last mentioned means and separably connected with the rear sides of the end sections of the bed unit to brace said side cover-supporting members with respect thereto.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

CARL C. GI-IITTIM. 

